An unexpected political debate surrounding the 2026 World Cup has begun in Germany. The reason is the US position on Greenland and the statements made on this topic. Against this very backdrop, a call for an open discussion about boycotting the competition was heard.
This initiative was put forward by FC St. Pauli's president, as well as Oke Gottlich, a member of the Bundesliga and the German Football Federation's executive committee. In his opinion, the situation raises the question: is it right for Europeans to participate in major tournaments in a country that may indirectly, and perhaps even directly, pose a threat to Europe in the near future?
"The question of whether Europeans should participate in competitions in a country that poses an indirect, perhaps direct, threat to Europe in the near future is indeed relevant," Gottlieh was quoted as saying.
The reason for these discussions is that US President Donald Trump has reportedly expressed his desire to establish US control over the deployment of missile defense systems in Greenland, a Danish autonomous region. These statements exacerbated the question in certain circles in Germany: "What position will we choose at the intersection of sports and geopolitics?"
As a reminder, the 2026 World Cup is planned to be held in three countries - the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament starts on June 11, and the final will take place on July 19.
For now, it's not about an official decision - it's more a clash of opinions. But this challenge itself shows one thing: the path to the 2026 World Cup is filled not only with the struggle on the field, but also with big questions outside the field.
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